Locking device for axle-nuts.



N0. 693,l|l.

. M. CONRAD.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR-XLE NUTS. (Application med may 11, 1901,) @No Model.) 2 shank-*sheet l. A

Patented Feb; 11,1902.

4M. cnN'nAn. LUCKING DEVICE FUR AXLE NUTS. (Application med my 11, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

No. 693ML UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC.

MARTIN CONRAD, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

LOCKING DEVICE FOR AXLE-NUTS.I

SPECIFICATION forming pere of Lettere Patent No. 693,111, dated February 111, 19027.

Application tiled May l1, 1901. Serial No. 59,716. (No model.)

To @ZZ whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, MARTIN CONRAD,of Ohicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locking Devices for Axle- Nuts; and I do hereby declare that the followingis a full, clear, and exact description thereof, reference being had to the accompanying drawings,- and to the letters of reference marked thereon, which form a part of'this specification.

This invention relates to improvements in vehicle-axles, and more especially to devices adapted for employment in connection with such axles and the axle-nut by which the wheel is held upon the axle for locking or confining said nut from rotation to prevent the nut from unscrewing or coming oif the axle.

Adevice embodyingmyinvention embraces as its principal feature a hinged leaf or latch pivotally connected with the nut, interlocking parts on the end of the screw-threaded part of the axle and on said hinged leaf-or latch adapted to be interlocked when the hinged leaf or latch is folded down against the face of the nut and to be disengaged to permit the turning of the nut when the hinged leaf or latch is swung outwardly away from the outer face of the nut, and a spring applied to the hinged leaf or latch to hold the same in its closed and open position, while permitting it to be readily swung outward and inward or opened and closed.

My invention will be more readily understood by reference to the accom panying drawings, wherein Ihave shown several diiferent forms of a locking device embodying my invention for securing an axle-n ut to au axle.

As shown in said drawings, Figure l shows in front or end elevation an axle and axlenut with a nut-locking device embodying my invention applied thereto, showing the latchl 5, showing still another form of locking dc-l vice embodying my invention. Fig.' 8 is a' detail sectionV taken on line 8' S of Fig. 7. Fig. 9 is a section similar to Fig. 7, illustratinga construction in which the nut is closed at its outer end. Fig. l() is a view showing in longitudinal section the end of a wooden axle with a thimble -skein applied thereto, illustrating a nut and locking device applied to said nut of the kind especially adapted for employment in cases where a lag-screw is inserted through the end of the skein into the wooden axle. Fig. ll is an end view of the device shown in Fig. l0. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 1l, showing a slightly-modified form of the device therein illustrated.

As shown in the accompanying drawings, Figs. l, 2, and 3, A indicates the axle arm or spindle of a solid-metal axle-arm, and B the axle-nut applied thereto, said axle-arm having the usual screw-threaded end A of smaller diameter than the spindle and forming a shoulder a, against which the nut B bears when screwed in place, as is usual in theconstruction of similar axles. The nut B is provided with iat faces for the application of a wrench and with'a circular flange b at its base, which bears against the outer end of thewheel-hub, as is usual in such nuts. C indicates a hinged leaf or latch which is piv- Votally connected with the nut B at one side ofthe screw-threaded aperture therein by means of a pivot-pin c, which passes through one end of said latch and engages at its ends with lugs b', which project from the out-er face of the nut B. The main part of the latch C extends across the opening in the nut, and said latch is provided on its inner surface with an inwardly-projecting stud c', which is adapted to engage a hole a', formed in the end surface of the axle-arm, when the latch is closed against the outer face of the nut. The hole c in the end of the axle is located eccentrically or at a distance -fromthe center of the axle-arm, sothat when the latch is closed against the face of the .nut and the pin c is engaged with the said C in its closed and open positions said latch is provided with a flat end surface c2 adja- IOO cent to the pivothpn c and with a iiat outer surface c3 at right angles tothe face c2, and a fiat steel spring D is attached to the nut in such manner that its free end Will press or bear against the flat faces c2 and c3, the parts being so arranged that when the latch is closed against the outer face of the nut the spring by its pressure on the surface o2 will tend to hold it in its closed position, as shown in Fig. `2l.

By pulling outwardly on the free end of the latch thespring will yield to permit the latch to be swung outwardly and will then by its pressureon the flat face c3, Fig. 3, hold Vthe latch in a position at right angles to the face of the nut. In the construction shown the spring D is attached to the nut by hav,- ing its inner end bent at right angles to its main part, which latter rests against one of the flat faces of the nut, and said bent inner end is secured by a rivet CZ to the outer face of the flange Z9. The free extremity of the latch C may project slightly beyond the face of the nui, so that it may be easily grasped to throw it outwardly in releasing it from the axle, or, it desired, the nut may be recessed or undercut, so as to form a recess b2 adjacentv to and beneath the end of the latch for the insertion of a finger or a wrench in the act of releasing the latch from the axle.

The end ofthe axle may be provided withl several like holes a', either of Whichmay be engaged by the stud c', according to the position of said stud with respect to theaxle 'when the nut is turned to its place against The employment the shoulder of the axle. of more than one hole is not usually necessary, however, for the reason that the inward Y movement of the nut on the screw-threaded end of the axle is limited by the contact of the nut with the shoulder ct, and the stud c will always come to the same position with relation to the axle when the nut is brought ,y into contact with said shoulder', so that the hole ct may be made by a drill or like tool inl the proper position to receive the stud when the parts are first` assembled vby the man ufacturer, and in replacing the nut after re- ,moval said nut may always be brought back to its original place and with the hole a' in position to receive the stud c. Moreover, this will be true even after the screw-threads on the axle Vand nut become somewhat worn, in-

asmuch asin such cases it is not necessary to -in the first instance to receive the stud c when the nut is in proper place on the axle and in contact with the shoulder a said nut may always thereafter be broughtV to thesame position preparatory to the locking thereof to vthe axle by the latch and its locking-stud.

In the useY of a locking device made as above described the latch is thrown ,out-v wardly away from the face of the Anut when 'said nut is being removed from or placed on the axle, and said latch is thrown inwardly to engage the stud thereon with the axle when the nut is in place, it being obvious that the latch when in its outward or released position will not interfere withthe application to the nut of a wrench kor like implement used for turning it. Manifestly the iiat faces c2 and c3, in connection with the spring acting against the same, serve to hold the latch isecurely in its operative position when closed and to hold the latch from movement when open or in its disengaged position, so as to leave the nut free to he turned while a wrench is being applied to the nut for taking off or replacing the same.

Figs. 4, 5, and 6 illustrate a construction more especially intended for use in connection with a solidmetal axle-arm having a convex or rounded end surface adapted to project slightly beyond theouter face of the nut when the nut is in place ou the axle. In this instance the rounded end of the axle is provided with a transverse groove a2, (shown more clearly in Fig. (5,) and a latch C' is provided, the main part ot' which has the form of a straight bar adapted to enter the said groovet when the latch `is closed against the face of the nut, said groove being so located as to properly receive the latch when the nut is in position in contact with the shoulder d of the axle. Vhen thelatch is engaged with the groove d2, the nut will be held from turn ing on the axle in the same manner as in the use'of the form of locking device shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3.

Figs. 7 and'S illustrate still another construction, also intended for metal axle-arms. In this construction the parts are made like those described in connection with Figs. l, 2, and 3, with the exception thatin this instance `the end of the axle is provided with a transverse groove a3, preferably made narrower than the width of the body of the latch, and a latch C2 is used, which is `provided on its inner face with a longitudinal rib c3, which enters and tits Within the groove d3 when the latch is closed against the outer face of the nut. The end of the axle iu this case is tlush or practically flush with the outer end of the nut when the nut is in place on the axle, and the groove a3 is formed within the plane of the outer face of the nut, while therib c3 projects into the aperture of the nut when engaged with lsaid groove. Manifestlynthe transverse groove a3, with the rib c3 arranged to interlock therewith, operates to hold the nut from turning on the axle in the same way as does the stud shownin Figs. l, 2, and 3.

In Fig. 9 is shown a construction adapted for use in connection with a nut which is closed at its outer end. In this instance the nut B is employed, having an end wall B2, which extends over. the aperture of the nut and covers the outer end of the axle. Alatch C3 is employed in this instance, which latch is pivotally connected with the nut in the IIO same manner as before described in connection with Figs. 1, 2, and 3. Said latch is provided with a stud E, which passes through the wall B2 of the nut and enters a hole d', formed in the end of the axle in the same way as the similar hole ct shown in Figs.'-

1, 2, and 3. The stud is in this instance pivotally connected, by means of a pivot-pin e, with the latch C3, so that in opening and closing the latch it may adjust itself to posi tion with respect to the hole in the wall B2 of the nut through which it passes. Manifestly the latch and pivoted stud E (shown in Fig. 9) operate to lock the nut from turning on the axle in the same manner as do the corre'- sponding parts shown in Figs. l, 2, and 3.

In Figs. 10 and ll I have shown a construction in a locking device adapted more especially for use in connection with that form of axle and axle-arm in which a metal axle-skein is used in connection with a wooden axle. In this instance, F indicates the wooden axlearm, and G the metal thimble-skein applied to said arm. I-I indicates a lag-screw, which is inserted throughthe outer end of the skein G and enters the end of the wooden axle F in the usual manner. In this construction the lag-screw H is provided with the usual square or fiat-sided head h, which bears lagainst the outer end of the skein, and said iiat-sided head 7L is employed in connection with a socket in the latch to afford the desired interlocking connection of the nut with the axle. In this instance the nut B is like that hereinbefore described, and the latch C4 is connected with the said nut by means of a pivot-pin c passing through lugs h' b' on the nut. A spring D is also employed, said spring being attached to the nut in the same manner as that illustrated in said Figs. l, 2, and 3. The latch Cl has the form of a flat plate, provided with a central socket ci, which 'is adapted-to receive and lit over the head h of the lag-screw, the latch being adapted to rest iiat against the outer face of the nut, with the head h of the lag-screw projecting into said socket. The head h of the lag-screw is usually made with four flat sides, and the latch C4 is shown as adapted for use in connection with a head of this shape, said latch being provided in the sides of its socket with two sets of angular notches c5 c6, either set of which may be engaged with the four corners of the head h. The employment of a plurality of sets of notches provides for varying positions of the head of the lag-screw, it being obvious that the corners of the lag-screw head would be unlikely to come in proper position to enter the socket of the latch if the latter were provided with a square socket. By providing two or more sets of notches in the said socket, however, the lag-screw may be turned slightly either backward or forward after the nut has been placed upon the axle, soas to bring the corners of the lag-screw head accurately in position for engagement with one of the sets of notches in the latch, it being obvious that inasmuch as the lag-screw engages the wooden axle it may be turned in either direction to the slight extent necessary for the purpose without liability of loosening it and without effect so far as the proper performance of its function as a. means ot' holding the thimbleskein on the axle is concerned.

In Fig. l2 is shown a construction of the latch wherein provision is made for proper engagement of the lag-screw head with the socket in the latch without usual necessity for adjusting the lag-screw by turning it in the axle. In this construction the socket in the latch is made of substantially circular form and is provided at intervals around its margin with angular inwardly-extending pr'ojections c7, between which are formed notches to receive the corners of the lag-screw head. The said notches in this instance are so large or made so wide circumferentially as to receive corners of the lag-screw head in most positions of the same, so that any turning of the lag-screw to ent-er said notches will usually be unnecessary. In this construction manifestly the nut will be free to move a short angular distance before the corners of the lag-screw head come into contact with the projections c7, and thereby arrest further rotation of the nut; but such movement in most cases will not be found objectionable,because not sufficient to permit the loosening of the nut to an injurious extent or to an extent which would produce objectionable endwise movement of the wheel upon the axle.

A general advantage gained by the locking devicedescribed in all the forms in which it is illustrated is that the same aords a means by which an axle -nut when in its proper place upon the axle can be locked positively from turning or unscrewing through the jarring of the axleor turning of the wheel, while at the same time such device is simple and inexpensive to construct, is adapted to be 0perated by the hand without the use of any special tool orimplement, and permits quick and easy disengagement of the nut from the axle when it is desired to remove the nut and equally quick and easy locking of the nut to the axle when placed upon the latter. As is well understood by those familiar with this art, the screw-threads of an axle and an axlenut frequently become worn through the lodgment of sand or grit on the screw-threads when the nut is removed and replaced,- so that after many removals of the nut the screw threads become so loose as to no longer hold the nut from turning through frictional engagement of theparts due to a tight tit of the nut on the screw-threaded part of the axle. The locking device described obviously enables the nut to be locked to the axle always in the same position as that in which it was originali y placed, notwithstanding such wear of the screw-threads. It will be observed, moreover, that all parts of the locking device described are located at or on the outer face of the nut and at the end surface of the axle to ICO which the nut is applied, so that the application of said locking device to an ordinary vehicle-axle and nut interferes in no way with the projecting annular part or band of the Wheel-hnb-which surrounds the nut and rellocking device herein described may be readily and easily applied to axles already in use and that in the case of an axle provided with a lag-screw a nut having a latch provided with a socket for the lag-screw head may be substituted for the nut previously in use on such axle Without any change in the axle whatsoever.

I-claim as my inventionl. The combination with an axle provided with a screw-threaded projection at its end to receive an axle-nut, of an axle-nut having interior screw-threads to engage those on the axle, a latch hinged to the nut at one side thereof and adapted to extend across the outer face of the nut and the end surface of the axle, and interlocking parts on the outer end of the screw-threaded projection on the axle and on said latch located at a distance from the center of the axle and adapted for engagement with each other when the latch is closed against the face of the nut.

2. The combination with an axle provided With a screw-threaded projection at its end adapted to receive an axle-nut, and an axlenut having interior screw-threads tting those of the projection of the axle, of alatch hinged to the nut at one side thereof and adapted to extend across the outer face of the nut and the end surface of the projection of the axle, and interlocking parts on the outer end of the axle and on the said latch, said interlocking parts being adapted for engagement with each other in a plurality of angular positions of the nut upon the axle.

3. The combination with an axle provided with a screw-threaded projection to receive an axle-nut and provided with a lag-screw, the head of which projects beyond said screwthreaded projection, and an axle-nut having interior screw threads adapted to engage those on the projection of the axle, of a latch hinged to the nut at one side thereof and adapted,when closed, to extend over the outer face of the nut and the end of the axle, said latch being provided with a socket adapted to receive the head of the lag-screw, and said socket having a plurality of notches, whereby the head ofthe lag-screw may be engaged therewith in a pl uralityof positions of thc nut upon the axle.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as myinventionIaffix my signature, in presence of two witnesses, this 9th day of May, A. D. 1901.

MARTIN CONRAD.

Witnesses:

BERNARD ABELER, R. C. WIEDEMAN. 

